Belarus opposition leader denounces treason trial as ‘a farce’

She is facing charges of high treason, conspiracy to seize power and undermining national security and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attends a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Belarus’ main opposition leader has denounced her trial in absentia as a farce during an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was the main challenger in the August 2020 election that extended President Alexander Lukashenko’s rule and was rejected by the Belarusian opposition and the West as a sham.